Best .22 Air Rifles of 2024, Range and Field Tested

I’ve been airgun attempting to find 20 years and have shot practically each .22 air rifle obtainable. With that have looking with and reviewing airguns, I’ve put collectively an inventory of the perfect .22 air rifles.  

I’ll begin with my customary disclaimer for a majority of these articles. The “finest” rifle is a subjective measure that relies on its finish use and your private preferences. These are weapons that I’d select based mostly on standards resembling accuracy, energy, measurement and weight, cocking motion, journal capability, set off, or the price of possession.

It might be simple simply to pick out my general favourite airguns and say, “I’ll take the .22 model of that.” Nonetheless, I’m going to begin with a clear slate, ask myself what I’d need particularly in a .22, take a look at what’s obtainable in the marketplace, and share my high picks.

How I Selected the Finest .22 Air Rifles

My high .22 airgun picks are a mix of air rifles I’ve area and vary examined alone and weapons from the Outdoor Life air rifle test. Air rifles from the take a look at will embrace group and chronograph knowledge. Teams have been shot at 45 yards with the ammo listed for every air rifle. We shot all of the air rifles of their inventory tune and it’s secure to say with tuning, the teams could possibly be improved.

The entire choices beneath are extremely correct in the best arms and which you select will rely in your funds and meant use case.

Finest .22 Air Rifles: Opinions & Suggestions

Finest Total: Brocock Commander XR

Key Options

• Huma-Air adjustable regulator
• Lother Walther polygonal barrel
• Tactical inventory, AR-style inventory, and pistol grip
• Shrouded barrel with built-in baffles

Execs

• Very correct long-range capabilities
• Quiet
• Ergonomic and adjustable
• Quick, easy biking of sidelever

Cons

• Costly
• Picatinny rail below bottle could possibly be longer

The Brocock Commander XR is light-weight, compact (with the inventory folded), and straightforward to pack over lengthy distances. The sidelever motion and journal are dependable and may cycle rapidly with out coming astray. When taking pictures off sticks or with a bipod connected, I discover this rifle is an absolute tack-driver on long-range prairie canine shoots. When looking at distances over 100 yards with an air rifle and an 18-grain pellet, all the pieces on the gun has to work properly and work the identical method each time, which the Commander does, and it’s why this rifle makes the grade. 

It has a bottle-forward design that’s configured to just accept an AR-compatible inventory and pistol grip. The rifle makes use of a sidelever cocking and loading system that cycles the 10-shot journal. The cocking deal with is snug to make use of and solely wants a brief straight pull to cycle. Air administration is offered by the HUMA regulated air supply system that works with the adjustable hammer and valve to supply a high-level consistency. 

You may select from an aluminum or carbon air cylinder. The aluminum is cheaper, and the carbon fiber is lighter. Twin air gauges monitor each regulator strain settings and the air provide standing. An influence adjuster — situated on the right-hand aspect of the breech block — works properly for on-demand tuning.

In case you are on the lookout for a gun that’s each all-around small sport rifle and may be set as much as attain out for longer vary small sport and pest management taking pictures, the Brocock Commander XR is difficult to beat. With adjustable energy, versatile airflow administration, a precision barrel, a design that gives a secure and stable taking pictures platform, that is one which I felt snug making my decide for the perfect .22 air rifle for looking general.

One other nice long-range looking air rifle: FX Dreamline

Finest Funds: Umarex NOTOS .22 PCP Carbine

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Key Options

• Regulated for constant velocity output
• Sidelever motion
• Seven-shot rotary journal
• Absolutely shrouded barrel
• Compact, adjustable inventory

Take a look at Outcomes

• 45-Yard Group Common: 0.96 inch
• Pellet Used: JSB 15.9
• Set off Pull Weight: 4 lbs 2.3 oz
• Common Pace: 722 fps

Execs

• Good accuracy and energy for plinking or looking
• Regulated, uncommon function at this value level
• Three constant magazines (21 pictures) per fill

Cons

• Regulator setting isn’t adjustable.
• Left aspect cocking lever may not enchantment to some shooters.

I consider the NOTOS is a close-to-perfect car for a .22 caliber small sport gun. It generates round 18 foot-pounds, is correct, ergonomic, and really fairly priced. With the adjustable inventory, the NOTOS could be excellent for a younger hunter, performs at a degree that may develop with the beginner shooter, or be a fantastic addition for the skilled hunter that wishes an excellent gentle and compact rig for squirrel looking within the fall woods. This little carbine is an absolute blast to shoot. 

In the course of the 2024 air rifle take a look at, this little air rifle shot a .96-inch, 5-shot group common. It shot a 15.9 grain JSB pellet at 722 fps. That’s loads of accuracy and energy for small sport looking.

The Umarex NOTOS .22 PCP Carbine comes with all of the elements to configure it as a big handgun or a sub-compact carbine, making it one of the vital versatile choices I’ve examined shortly. The inventory is a black artificial materials with a pistol grip and an adjustable AR-style inventory. It is usually among the finest airgun values you’ll discover, at properly below $300, but it provides options discovered on air rifles which can be far more costly. One other attention-grabbing truth concerning the NOTOS is that it’s a devoted .22, the one caliber it’s provided in, and as a bonus, this carbine may be very ammunition tolerant.

Learn our full review of the Umarex NOTOS

Key Options

• Interchangeable barrels and slug liners obtainable
• FX Clean Twist X Barrel
• Adjustable regulator and energy plenum
• AR15-style grip, CNC aluminum inventory, adjustable recoil pad (peak)

Take a look at Outcomes

• 45-Yard Group Common: .41 inch
• 100-Yard Group Common: 1.53 inches
• Pellet Used: Air Arms Diablo Field 25.4 grains
• Set off Pull Weight: 1 lb 8 ounces
• Common Pace: 896.8 fps 

Execs

• Extraordinarily correct
• Adjustable match set off
• Carbon-fiber tank: 480 cc Customary, 300cc Compact
• Shot depend: roughly 130 pictures per fill
• Multi caliber

Cons

• Costly
• Difficult to arrange for brand spanking new shooters

I’m not a critical aggressive shooter, although I often compete and have had an opportunity to look at and communicate with a few of the finest opponents on the circuit. Lots of the high shooters I’ve talked to have instructed me with out reservation why the Affect is among the finest .22 air rifles for benchrest and velocity silhouette. And when a gaggle of the perfect comes near a consensus, I’m going to concentrate. That accuracy proved to be truth when on the Out of doors Life 2024 air rifle take a look at, the Affect shot the perfect teams within the area. It averaged .44 inch, five-shot teams at 45 yards for 3 completely different set off pullers.

The FX Affect is a bottle-forward bullpup constructed on a CNC aluminum inventory with an adjustable recoil pad and an AR-style pistol grip. It makes use of a sidelever motion that rapidly and easily cycles. The 2-stage adjustable set off makes use of a publish and blade configuration and provides extremely gentle and tactile responsiveness. There are a number of barrel choices, and they’re interchangeable.

Airgun competitions within the U.S. and Europe are gaining recognition, particularly benchrest, high-speed silhouette, and area goal. The FX Affect has grow to be one of the vital extensively used and profitable platforms competing in benchrest and silhouette, and it’s as a result of each side of the gun has a laser concentrate on wringing each little bit of accuracy. I’m not a aggressive shooter, however I’ve an Affect .22 arrange for long-range prairie dogging, and it’s fairly merely one of the vital correct air rifles ever constructed. The FX Affect’s monitor file for unbelievable accuracy and consistency is why it’s my decide for essentially the most correct .22 air rifle.

Finest Modular Design: Air Venturi Avenge-X

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Key Options

• Adjustable regulator
• Modular design
• Adjustable energy
• Sidelever motion
• Vary of caliber choices (.177, .22, .25)
• Absolutely shrouded barrel

Execs

• Extraordinarily configurable
• Correct and highly effective
• Reasonably low sound signature

Cons

• No frill, workmanlike design and manufacture
• Model-new providing and inventories could deplete rapidly

I actually like the truth that this rifle is out there in a number of configurations, sporter, bullpup, and tactical, however what I believe enhances that is that the Avenge-X collection is actually modular. The Avenge-X is exclusive within the market, with a spread of non-obligatory elements (barrels, air storage, and shares), that are each simply obtainable and fairly priced.

The Air Venturi Seneca Avenge-X is tough to supply a concise description of as a result of it may be configured in so some ways. The product line leverages key expertise and classes discovered from the Avenger rifle and bullpup. Whereas different producers tout a modular design, what I respect concerning the Avenge-X is that the elements can be found, priced fairly, and may be modified by the everyday person.

Learn our full review of the Air Venturi Avenger.

Finest for New Airgun Hunters: Umarex Komplete NitroAir

Take a look at Outcomes

• 45-Yard Group Common: 0.86 inch
• Pellet Used: JSB 10.4
• Set off Pull Weight: 1 lb 3.3 oz
• Common Pace: 935 fps

Key Specs

• Powered by the NitroAir NCR cartridge system
• Aspect lever cocking
• Two stage set off, adjustable take up, 2.25 lb pull weight
• Inner (non-adjustable) Regulator
• SilencAir noise suppression
• Out there in .177 and .22

Execs

• PCP with no further fill gear required
• Cartridge powered PCP
• Low value of entry to PCPs
• Highly effective and correct
• Regulated for roughly 45 pictures per cartridge

Cons

• Worth proposition varies relying on utilization
• Included scope high quality is suboptimal

The Komplete NitroAir stands out in a crowded area of value-oriented PCP air rifles as a result of it makes use of a proprietary nitrogen fuel cartridge. The cartridge resembles a big CO2 cartridge, however a CO2 cartridge is barely stuffed to 800 psi. The NitroAir cartridge is charged to 3600 psi, which is sufficient fuel for about 45 regulated pictures. Apart from a excessive shot depend, the single-use nitrogen cartridges provide the efficiency advantages of a PCP without having to spend money on a pricey compressor or air tank.

It’s the least costly PCP with respect to startup prices, although at about $10 per cartridge (sold in packs of two), the working prices could possibly be larger relying on how a lot you shoot. After 1,900 pictures, you’ll spend $400 on 20 bins of cartridges, which is about the price of a small compressor. That’s why this airgun isn’t very best for high-volume shooters, but it surely does make plenty of sense as a yard pest rifle, plinker, or small sport airgun.

Finest Spring Piston: Beeman R9

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Take a look at Outcomes

• 25-Yard Group Common: .59 inch
• Pellet Used: JSB 15.89
• Set off Pull Weight: 2 lbs 14 oz
• Common Pace: 605 fps

Key Options

• Powerplant: Standard Spring-piston
• Size Total: 43.25 inches
• Size of pull: 14.25 inches
• Weight: 8.5 kilos 
• Single shot break barrel
• Barrel Size: 16.5 inches
• Set off: two-stage adjustable Rekord set off
• Cocking effort: 40 kilos
• Sighting: Open sights, adjustable rear sight, 11mm Dovetail for scope

Execs

• Among the finest spring piston triggers ever produced
• Excessive degree of match and end
• Excellent ergonomics
• One of the crucial correct spring piston airguns ever constructed
• Nice steadiness of accuracy and energy
• Straightforward to cock 

Cons

• Incorporate a resettable security (can’t be reset after releasing)
• It’s on the heavy aspect, however to be anticipated with any such gun in wooden.
• That is virtually the proper springer, if such a factor exists.

The R9 was by far the perfect spring airgun we examined. It had the smoothest taking pictures cycle, the perfect set off, and yielded the perfect accuracy. However you’ll pay $530 for that degree of efficiency, which is greater than double the worth of the others examined.

The Rekord set off on the R9 is a two-stage adjustable design that got here out of the field at 2 kilos 14 ounces. I favored its predictable uptake and crisp break. I wasn’t alone in that opinion. “It’s a incredible set off on the manufacturing facility setting,” stated Patner. 

In our 25-yard accuracy testing, the smallest group was .21 inch, the biggest was 1 inch, and the 4 group common was .53 inch. That’s some good taking pictures for a springer, however most notably, the accuracy got here simply. Different spring rifles we examined have been finicky and wanted particular holds to shoot properly. The R9 simply carried out with out fuss.  

This gun was arrange at low energy, producing 605 fps with the 15.89 grain JSB Diabolo pellet. The R9 was producing an influence output just a bit above the UK authorized restrict of 13 ft-lbs. I do know that to firearms shooters this appears very low, however for context contemplate the British have been bagging small sport with sub 12 ft-lb weapons for many years.

The R9 makes use of a wooden Monte Carlo inventory with a delicate cheekpiece that permits it to be shot comfortably right-handed or left-handed. All of us gave the R9’s ergonomics excessive scores. “This gun is an absolute pleasure to shoot, and it could make a incredible looking, pesting, or plinking gun,” stated Einsmann. “The firing cycle is easy all through, with a really tame recoil, particularly contemplating the ability output.”

With a cocking effort of roughly 38 kilos, this rifle fell someplace between the Swarm and the Mannequin 95 when it comes to effort and could be manageable for many shooters.

Learn Subsequent: PCP Air Rifles 101

Finest Funds Spring Airgun: Gamo Swarm Maxxim 10x Gen 2

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Take a look at Outcomes

• 25-Yard Group Common: 1.13 inch
• Pellet Used: JSB Actual 18.13 grain
• Set off Pull Weight: 3 lbs 12.3 ounces
• Common Pace: 611 fps

Key Specs

• Break barrel motion
• IGT Inert Gasoline Expertise Gasoline Piston energy plant
• Journal with 10 shot capability (Horizontal orientation)
• Two-stage adjustable set off
• Whisper Maxxim sound suppression system
• Shockwave Absorber recoil pad

Execs

• Multi-shot journal
• Low cocking effort
• Clean taking pictures cycle
• Ergonomic

Cons

• Bundled scope is low high quality
• Set off out of field has plenty of creep
• Just one journal included

The Swarm Maxxim 10X Gen 2 was a nice taking pictures rifle with a reasonably tame firing cycle, and the multi-shot journal labored flawlessly throughout testing. The cocking effort was low, and the general ergonomics have been good.

Einsmann discovered the gun fairly maintain delicate. “The gun was pretty correct, however far too maintain delicate to be reliably correct,” he stated. 

Key Options

• Worth pricing
• Adjustable regulator
• Shrouded barrel
• Correct and highly effective

Execs

• Glorious efficiency out of the field
• Responsive set off and sidelever motion
• Rugged and dependable journal
• Absolutely adjustable regulator permits optimization for particular projectiles and functions
• Excessive-capacity and high-pressure air storage gives a excessive shot depend

Cons

• Inventory has a hole and plasticky really feel
• If the regulator is ready excessive, a excessive strain (4351 psi) fill is required

For a rifle to be a fantastic entry-level gun, it must be simple to arrange and shoot, provide the efficiency to permit a brand new shooter to realize success and see enchancment, and proceed to help the shooter’s wants as their expertise degree grows. The Avenger does an impressive job of addressing this requirement.

The usual Avenger is a full-sized PCP rifle in a black artificial sporter model inventory that may match most shooters properly. The air reservoir sits beneath the barrel and gives a surprisingly excessive shot depend as a result of excessive fill pressures it could actually accommodate. The rifle is cycled with a sidelever motion utilizing a well-designed cocking lever that reliably auto indexes the magazines. Two strain gauges show the standing of the air storage and the regulator setting.

The Avenger is a wonderful instance of a gun that may adapt to the shooter’s wants. It is a wonderful selection for novice PCP shooters and airgun aficionados who need to tune and modify a gun to make it their very own.

I’ve used the Avenger .22 to hunt squirrels and rabbits with customary Diabolo pellets, and dialed it in to work with airgun slugs for long-range prairie canine shoots. The intrinsic accuracy, tactile set off, easy cocking motion, and general ergonomics make this a simple gun to shoot precisely. The low value makes it a lovely rifle to buy, and the options and performance guarantee it is going to proceed to supply worth as a brand new shooter positive factors expertise. And for all of those causes, the Avenger was my decide for finest funds .22 air rifle.

Key Options

• Semi-auto motion
• Folding inventory
• Excessive energy
• Shrouded barrel

Execs

• Correct
• Highly effective
• Dependable
• Compact and light-weight

Cons

• Occasional misfeeds with some ammo (capabilities reliably with most pellets)
• Makes use of plenty of air and pellets

There are a couple of semi-auto PCP air rifles in the marketplace, however not many good ones. I’ve been taking pictures the HP Carbine for a couple of months now, and moreover having monitor file for reliability, they’ve constructed this gun on a smaller body and stored each the dimensions and the worth down. AEA appears to have discovered the candy spot.

It is a tactical design with a folding AR-style buttstock, pistol grip, and bottle-forward configuration. The gun folds for simple packing and transporting, deploys rapidly, and provides an ergonomic and secure taking pictures platform that I like for offhand taking pictures. The shrouded barrel does job of lowering the sound signature.

It’s correct, highly effective, and spits out pellets as quick as you possibly can pull the set off. I believe this caliber is among the finest .22 air rifles for plinking or looking. With this gun, you’ll devour plenty of air and plenty of pellets, so that you must guarantee you’ve got entry to each. I’d recommend that you consider investing in a compressor, so that you at all times have air obtainable.

One other nice semi-auto airgun: Hatsan Invader

How you can Select One of many Finest .22 Air Rifles

To pick the perfect .22 air rifle that you must reply three questions:

• What’s your funds?
• How will you utilize the air rifle? 
• Are you keen to spend money on an air compressor or air tank? 

In case your funds is over $1,000 you’ve got plenty of correct and highly effective .22 air rifles to select from. I’d recommend a PCP for max accuracy and energy. Then you definately simply have to determine if you happen to’d like a goal rifle just like the FX Affect or a looking air rifle just like the Brocock Commander XR. Within the $500 vary you possibly can select from wonderful PCPs just like the Air Venturi Avenger or a springer just like the Hatsan Mannequin 65. The deciding issue might be if you happen to favor the simplicity of a springer or the precision of a PCP. Within the $250 vary you possibly can nonetheless discover wonderful PCP and springer fashions just like the Gamo Swarm and Hatsan Flashpup QE. 

Learn Subsequent: The Best PCP Air Rifle Compressors

FAQs

Last Ideas on the Finest .22 Air Rifles

The .22 caliber is arguably the preferred caliber being utilized in PCP air rifles, and proper behind the .177 in spring piston weapons. If we glance particularly at looking functions, the .22 might be essentially the most extensively used caliber. 

They’re the preferred for good motive. There’s a broad choice of .22 rifles; they’re flat taking pictures, and have good terminal efficiency. There’s additionally an enormous vary of inexpensive pellets in various designs and weights. I’d advise you to take a look at the web retailers when selecting pellets to your .22 air rifle, as they’ll have a a lot better choice and sometimes higher costs than you’ll discover in an enormous field retailer. In case you select the best gun and the best projectile, among the finest .22 air rifles will serve you properly whether or not you plink, shoot competitors, or hunt.